SynopsisThe Watership Down rabbits stumble upon an
orchard, however it turns out there's a badger named Bark living there.
After disobeying orders, Fiver is caught by the Badger.

Guest
Voices* None
*

Favourite
Quote"And When our ears are tilted like this, it means we're bored
stupid!", Hawkbit, commenting upon how Bigwig tilted his ears to win at
Bobstones

Personal
ReviewIt's one of those episodes where they writers have comitted
that sin they love so dear; They've started a deadly exciting storyline, leaving
things on a cliffhanger, only to wander off on something completely different
for a week. I want to know what happens to Campion (Well, obviously I know now,
but assuming this was the first time I'd seen it!).

The episode itself was
nothing special. It's what I call a 'filler' episode, in that it could have gone
anywhere in the series, as the events of the episode have no bearing upon
anything else which happens. Indeed, we neither see nor hear anything more of
Bark or the Orchard until the later third series. We also finally hear the
names of two of Primroses' million-or-so kittens; Gillia and Snowdrop. Once
again, though, those names aren't heard again until series 3.

There were some good
parts to the plot. You have to admire the amount of emotion the producers
have portrayed via Pipkin. It almost brings a tear to your eye at some
points (although not to the extent that the CITV presenters would have everyone
believe!). This is also one of those times where Primrose tries to help. Once
again though, I repeat my statements about how useless and selfish a character
Primrose is. She says she'll be there for Pipkin if he ever needs someone to
talk to, yet every time he tries, she disappears, or has something more
important to attend to.

In keeping with most of
the series, Humour plays a part this week. The recurring joke with Bark
forcefeeding Fiver apples constantly is a laugh, especially the way you can see
Fiver gulping with worry each time. As usual, there's also Hawkbit with
another of his brilliant one-liners (These things nearly always seem to be
the 'favourite quote'). Bigwig boasts to Hawkbit and Dandelion about how he
tilts his ears in order to fool Hazel, and win at a game of Bobstones. Hawkbit,
in that perfect sarcastic tone which Lee Ross has down to a fine art, replies
'And when our ears are tilted like this, it means we're bored
stupid!".

As usual there were a few little things I have to pick fault
with. First of all, they could have done a better job to hide the fact that the
animators were reusing backgrounds. There's one scene where Fiver and Pipkin are
on top of the down commenting upon how they can 'smell the apples from all the
way up here'. They then run, arriving shortly at the orchard... hold on a
second though. That patch of ground overlooking the Orchard looks familiar!
(Check it out, and you'll see what I mean)

Another point which bothers me comes about later, where we see
Hazel fall from a great height after being captured by an Owl. After
dropping him, however, he makes a miraculous recovery, apart from a slightly
hurt leg. How come he gets off so lightly, whilst Campion, who was dropped from
a similar height in episode 12 ended up battered, scratched, bruised and
unconscious. It doesn't make much sense, especially considering how much tougher
than Hazel the Efrafan Captain is!

Rating (Out of 6) - Above Average

It's
better than some episodes, albeit with a few minor issues. The biggest downer
this time has to be that they dropped out of an important Efrafan Storyline for
this!